The evolution of a crisis

I sincerely wished to desist from commenting on this topic as myviews are quite tangential from those which have been aired so far.However grant me the ramblings of an idle mind .
The concept of reservations and equal representation are a smalltenet of an inescapable aspect of human evolution into a thinkingspecies with an immensely complicated social structure. The solecause for this stems from an aberrant development of the humanbrain, which makes it think that it is the supreme being on theplanet that the earth and everything on it is meant for humansalone. From hereon developed our social structure with its multi-layered hierarchy. Contrary to what most people believe, and what isone of the more universally prevalent behavioral patterns innature ; humans are possibly the most altruistic species on theplanet. By this, I do not imply that everything humans do arealtruistic …they are definitely not, but that humans show morealtruistic actions than any other species on the planet. I do notbelieve that there is any other organism which concerns itself soclosely with the welfare and the survival of the entire species.Altruism in other species is restricted to the family , the group orin extreme cases the herd. Most organisms however are solelyconcerned with themselves and their progeny. Paradoxically, we arealso one of the more selfish species doing the rounds. As in manyother species , you will find in humans examples of individualsconflicting with others to gain dominion over the ecosystem. Thecomplicated bodily and mental makeup of humans along with theextensive social structure gives countless dimensions to thisselfish behavioral pattern. This constant conflict betweenaltruistic and selfish behavioral patterns finds an extremelyinteresting outlet in the present scenario of reservations in India.Consider an example. If an external environmental change threatenedthe welfare of an organism, most or all organisms would tend tomodify themselves physically, socially or genetically so as toenable itself and its progeny to combat the impending threat.Humans are possibly the only species, which tries to modify theenvironment to overcome the threat. Of course, in the present day wecan argue that we are so dominant over our ecosystem and so mentallyadvanced that this is an easier method for us; but for whateverreason the fact remains that we do so, that we are inherently madeto do so : and in doing so , not least in our reasons comes the oftsited " for the betterment of mankind".Again we humans are the only species, where as a rule rather than asan exception, the stronger sections are concerned with the welfareof the weaker sections. There is an inherent tendency within us toform social groups, but despite having done so, still be concernedwith the welfare of members of all groups. So strong is thisbehavioral pattern that it is only disrupted when a dire andimmediate threat is perceived to self and family, a phenomenon whichis mirrored almost to precision in the ongoing events in our countrytoday.I do not think any examples are required but still- just a few dayswe were all very concerned about genocide and HR violations inDarfur. For a moment, laying aside the humane aspect, is there anyreason why we in India should be concerned about events halfwayacross the globe : No , but we still are because that is how we haveevolved and for all of Ayn Rand's philosophising cannot change whatis an inherent trait to our species. I am not a Rand fan simplybecause I do not believe that humans can inherently display suchbehaviour.So , fortunately or unfortunately, we humans have this habit ofcarrying everyone in our train. It is our `duty' to uplift theweaker sections of our species. The result: we are a tremendousecological success having attained dominion over the entire planetbut evolutionarily we are slowing down , reaching a dead end or assome put it even going in a opposite direction. Agreed , evolutiondoes not work in a handful of generations but our evolution andsubsequent ecological success have robbed quite few of the basicrequirements of evolution. It is not my lot to discuss Darwinismhere as I have already deviated a lot but one final point isrequired . At the very core of evolution is a much derided wordcalled `Purge'. Evolution tends to purge species of the weaker andthe ill fitted for survival, ultimately paving the way for origin ofnew species. Quite paradoxically , evolution of humans hasinculcated them with this behavioral pattern of altruism whichappears to inhibit evolution itself. The result appears only to bethe imminent extinction of the species. It may not come within thenext 2 or 20 generations , but sure as an arrow, it is imminent.Before proceeding further let me emphasise that these views are notmy own but these are what we humans are . Secondly coming back toour main agenda of reservation in India , I am not for one momentsaying that there is any altruistic motive behind it. It is simplyone of vote-bank politics but the idea is drawn from age old humanideals of upliftment of the weak and equal representation of allgroups.History is replete with such examples. All the major religions :Christianity , Islam and Hinduism cite numerous instances of uniformrepresentation, not necessarily from weaker sections but from allsections of society . The 13 apostles were from diff areas andsects. The Argonauts came from all corners of Greece, the 9 gems inAkbar's court were all from different castes, religions and havingdifferent trades. These are not merely coincidences. Cutting back tothe present area , I can think of an all too obvious example in theforthcoming WC Football. If we were to concentrate just on merit (which in football parlance translates to exciting skillfulfootball), we should ideally be having only European , S Americanand possibly a couple of African teams. Why then do we have quotasfor all continents and bear with Asian teams which either depress uswith their sub-standard football or as in the case of S Korea , useFIFA's considerable backing to gain semi-final entries by the backdoor.On the present scenario in India, I have nothing but contempt forreservations …mind you , reservations of any kind, be it SC/ST,OBC , or have what you may. I think even the most vehement socialistwould ultimately agree that in spite of our best efforts wecannot ever completely eradicate economic inequality . Theeconomically strong translates in evolutionary parlance to a fittermodel more suited for survival by a better combination of `nature vsnurture' i.e. gene pool + environment. By our inherent altruistictendencies we try an improve the ill fitted , a concept I can stillreconcile with. However I do have very strong reservations againstthe horizontal fragmentation of society based on caste , religionand the likes , something that is a virus in the society and canonly serve to impede our progress and quest for excellence. Ibelieve we are civilised enough to at least stop the division ofsociety on the basis of these superstitious cultural beliefs .However I do not have much sympathy for the protesting groups eitherbecause I believe that their allegations and accusations are toomyopic and more importantly are based more on selfish motives thanon any fundamentally conceptual beliefs and philosophies. To sitean example, tomorrow when the UK and US denies visas to Indianstudents on grounds that they would settle down there and encroachon the employment of that nation's own citizens, I do not see anyIndian come forth to say that it the correct thing is being done.Rather, people behave almost as if a fundamental right of theirs isbeing snatched away. People protest in the name of reservationsagainst SC/ST and OBC's in the name of equality but noone is heardthat such a classification should be done away with in the firstplace. Unfortunately, you cannot have your cake and eat it too.There has to be some kind of consistency in your views.In my eutopian world, there would be no social divisions, noreligion, caste or countries. The entire humankind would work onlytoward one common goal…. Progress. The emphasis would be solely uponexcellence and nothing else would supersede it. However it is justwishful thinking…. it will never be. For humans are nor made toexist in that manner. Till then, que sara sara.

Today i'd like to talk about hollywood and a rather disturbing trend that i've noticed in movies over the past 5-6 yrs. Watching this year's academy awards , a rather low key affair by the way ( made watchable only by the redoutable George Clooney and the gorgeous Kiera Knightley), I came to the sad conclusion that hollywood is experiencing a rather lean patch .Not since 2003-04 when "THE LORD OF THE RINGS : THE RETURN OF THE KING" so overwhelmingly swept 11 oscars , has there been a majoraward and money spinning movie. Before going further let us just consider the more imp movies from 1990 - 2000(a) and those from2001-06(b).
a) Forrest Gump , Philadelphia, Schindler's List, Pulp Fiction,Titanic, Gladiator, Saving Private Ryan , Jurassic Park, Silence of the Lambs, Braveheart.(just to name a few)
b) LotR trilogy, Matrix trilogy , Star wars (I,II,III), A beautiful mind, Chicago, Million Dollar Baby
Its easy to see that in the 2nd list probably only the Tolkien adaption (that too only part 3) would probably merit a place amongthe Thinking Man's Hall of Fame of Hollywood Classics (sorry to disappoint matrix fans but I do not consider any of the films to be classics).However in the first list, all the movies and perhaps a few that I've not named would certainly run very close if not find their place amonst the great all time movies. To add to this you have the steadily increasing list of attempted big budgeted epics which have bombed at the box ofice...your Troys , Alexanders and War of the Worlds . The popcorn fare of the Harry Potter series (& the more recent Narnia) fade miserably in comparison to the great fantasy classics e.g The Wizard of Oz. King Kong for all its wonderful effects would be hard pressed to surpass the undeniable nostalgia of the original black & white clasic.I have not seen a single one of the movies to headline this year's oscars (except Kong) but something tells me that things are not going to be too different from last year. .I watched all of million Dollar Baby, Aviator, Ray, Finding Neverland...all very good movies without bieng great. In none could I detect , either the grandeoise or the finesse or the take home punch so inherent of the classics of old.I personally believe that the best judge to a movie's real quality is the person's emotions as he leaves the theatre. So a great film is one where you feel extremes of emotion- exhilaration, deep sympathy , or simply a sense of awe . It is thus that over the years we either rejoiced as with the Von Trapp family's escape from nazi clutches, or had the good, the bad and the hideous ugly ofwar brought right into our living rooms at the opening D Day sequence in SPR. Over the past 4-5 yrs Hollywood has been built up a strange monotony , either trying to disturb still deeply conservative American roots with themes like Homosexuality and racism , or merely stitching together a 2hr visual effects roller coaster ride lacking the element of thought. (classic case in point : compare Jurassic Park to the 2 sequels or Gladiator to Troy). Somewhere along the line we have lost that spontaneous human emotion, the element which excited us with merely a scream of "Run Forrest Run" , or an embittered Huphrey Bogart drowning his heartache with the line " of all the gin joints in all the cities inthe entire world, she has to walk into mine" . The movie making touch which sent shivers down your spine at the mention of a single " Clarice" or at the word of the proud Colonel in a hostile courtroom " You can't handle the truth" ,is unfortunately missing over the past few years. What is more astonishing is that in these very same years , our own bollywood has acually taken giant steps in churning out cerebrally orgasmic movies the ilk of which would have done Hollywood of yore proud. Be it Black ,RDB, DCH, Lagaan, Page 3 . What a welcome relief to get fare so radically different form the diabetically sweet Yash chopra brigade.
So where do we go from here . Simple , you expect Hollywood to recover but hope it is sooner rether than later. Let us see what Tom Hanks dishes out in 'The DaVinci Code'. You also hope Bollywood keeps up the excellent work of these past few years. Indian film makers deserve a pat on thier backs. For once,they have at least matched ,if not beaten hollywood at their own game. Let us also hope ,1st that RDB is sent to the Oscars next year, and 2nd that it goes one step better than Lagaan. Surely no one will deny the immense potential of the same.

a casual first time

this is my first go at a blog. quite frankly i'm stumped at what to do next.
Lets just say that i'm looking fwd to the champions league clashes tonight.
Barcelona vs chelsea , Real madrid vs Arsenal , AC Milan vs Bayern Munich are the clashes which stand out.
I'll be rooting for Barcelona . If ever there was any divine vengeance then surely this is it. Somebody(read Riijkard , Ronaldinho et al ) ..pl stop Jose "big mouth" Mourinho.
Arsenal have no chance .they're playing terribly. Henry's not scoring . They're leaking goals at the back. Honestly ,6th in the premiership flatters them .The gunners have been simply awful this season.